PROVINCETOWN — When it comes to allocating Covid resources, Cape Cod has been treated like a distant afterthought. The state hasn’t opened a free Stop the Spread testing site here, […]
PRESERVATION
Committee Votes Down Grant for Schooner Hindu
Motta Field, home repair grants get nod from CPC
PROVINCETOWN — The community preservation committee (CPC) voted down the Schooner Hindu’s application for $100,000 in Community Preservation Act funds at its meeting on Feb. 22. Had it been approved, […]
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
These Data Are Ours
Our world is built on streams of data, beaming into headsets and printers and our ever-present phones. Twitter can predict what I will read; TikTok knows how to make me […]
JUST A SHOT AWAY
Cape Cod to Baker: Give Us Vaccine Now
Governor’s focus on mass sites has local officials ‘enraged’
PROVINCETOWN — Gov. Charlie Baker’s decision to prioritize six mass Covid-19 vaccination sites around the state, while sending hardly any vaccine at all to Cape Cod, has people here feeling […]
CHASING THE NUMBERS
State Undercounts Outer Cape Covid Cases
Rapid test results are not included in state reports
PROVINCETOWN — The Covid testing program at Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS), which relies on rapid BinaxNOW tests provided by the state, has been a local success story. The tests […]
CANNABIS CASH
Pot Produces $480K in New Tax Revenue
Receipts indicate nearly $9 million in sales from two stores in 2020
PROVINCETOWN — A long-anticipated source of new tax revenue was confirmed last week when Provincetown reported fourth-quarter payments from Curaleaf and b/well, the two cannabis dispensaries that opened here in […]
WELL-BEING
Provincetown Outlines Extensive Mental Health Plan
Pot impact fees could fund $500K response to community needs
PROVINCETOWN — Health Director Morgan Clark presented a five-year plan to the select board last month that aims to dramatically increase access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. The […]
THE ROAD TO NORMAL
Heartburn and Heartache in Vaccine Rollout
Hopes for quick access were raised, then dashed
PROVINCETOWN — Massachusetts had a plan for rolling out the Covid vaccine. First up would be the entire health-care industry, police and fire depts., and congregate living facilities where large […]
DATA DREAMS
Cape Cod Commission Sends Out New Waves of Data
Town-by-town statistics on wages, housing prices, vaccine phases, and more
PROVINCETOWN — The Cape Cod Commission plays an unusual role in the life of the Cape. It’s a kind of hybrid — part technical adviser, part regulator, part community planning […]
Covid-19
Phase Two Vaccination Appointments
Gov. Charlie Baker announced that Phase Two Covid-19 vaccinations would begin next week. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 27, those 75 years old and older could book vaccination appointments online at maimmunizations.org. […]
POLICING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Police Reform Law Includes New Civilian Oversight
Public reporting of disciplinary actions is now required
PROVINCETOWN — Massachusetts’s new police reform bill will change many aspects of policing, including training and certification, with new use-of-force rules, a duty to intervene and stop other officers from […]
LET'S GET FISCAL
Short-Term Rental Tax Brings Outer Cape $3.8 Million
Revenue boost is received in all four towns
PROVINCETOWN — Even during the pandemic, the short-term rental tax is bringing in serious money to the four Outer Cape towns. The long-awaited tax — technically, an expansion of the […]
TESTING, PART 7
Free Rapid Covid Testing Extended to Feb. 28
Asymptomatic testing is finding new cases every day
PROVINCETOWN — Free asymptomatic coronavirus testing will continue on the Outer Cape. The free rapid-testing program that began here on Dec. 23 was scheduled to end on Jan. 10 and […]
IMMUNITY
‘Rollout’ of Vaccine Gets to Cape Cod
First responders set to receive Covid vaccine starting Monday
PROVINCETOWN — The Outer Cape is getting vaccinated for Covid. Outer Cape Health Services has been inoculating its staff here and in Wellfleet with the Moderna vaccine. Seashore Point Wellness […]
COVID TESTS, PART 6
Bill That Expands Free Testing Lands on Baker’s Desk
Asymptomatic frontline workers would be covered
PROVINCETOWN — A long-running legislative effort to secure free asymptomatic Covid testing for many classes of frontline workers — particularly those employed in health care, restaurants, and retail and hospitality […]